PJM interconnection queue & data center load
PJM is the world's most data-center-saturated power market. As of mid-2026, the interconnection queue carries 30 GW of data center load against a 22 GW system peak — a queue-to-peak ratio of 1.4×. The 2025 capacity auction cleared at $269/MW-day, an all-time high. This is the live grid view.
Load by transmission zone
Live data is queryable through the DC Hub MCP server using the get_grid_intelligence tool. Connect any MCP-compatible AI client to https://dchub.cloud/mcp and ask “PJM zones with available headroom for 200 MW data center loads” — the answer comes back ranked.
Queue dilution risk by serving utility
- Dominion (DOM): Extreme — Ashburn corridor saturated
- AEP — Ohio: High — New Albany 95% load
- AES (Indiana / Ohio): Moderate
- BGE (Maryland): Moderate, growing fast
- ComEd (Illinois): Strong, >3 GW available
What it means for site selection
A queue-to-peak ratio above 1.0× means PJM cannot serve all queued data center loads on existing infrastructure. Operators making 2026–2028 decisions should assume 24–48 month interconnection lag in DOM and AEP zones, and prioritize ComEd / BGE corridors where headroom is real.
Frequently asked
How much data center load is in the PJM queue?
~30 GW of data center load against a 22 GW system peak as of mid-2026.
Which PJM zone has the most available capacity for new data centers?
ComEd (northern Illinois) and BGE (central Maryland) have meaningful headroom in 2026. Dominion and AEP are effectively constrained.
What are PJM capacity auction prices for 2025/2026?
$269.92/MW-day — an all-time record clearing price.